Another smasher! It's so rare for me to laugh my way through a book but laugh I did and I enjoyed every part.
I read this book after listening to the first book via audiobook. I loved the narrator and will be listening to the second as soon as I can get my hands on it!

I think the mix of naivety and innocence mixed with a thirst to be more than she is allowed to be by society, makes Violet an amazing character. Her wit and her eagerness to live are very refreshing. Along with a mix of characters ranging from the spoiled to the arrogant and pompous to the charming and the evil. I was almost sorry to see Mrs Withers go as she provided a literary rage in me. Mr Glossop certainly made up for it in this book and my fingers were itching to punch him on the nose.

Violet really comes into her own on this book and there is so much storyline that it held my attention throughout reading it and my thoughts when I had to put it down for a while. I really hope this will be a long series, sign me up for the next one if so!

Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review. It has been added to Storygraph and Goodreads already and will be reviewed on Amazon shortly as well.

Lady Detective in training Violet Hamilton is back in Hannah Dolby’s new book How to Solve Murders Like A Lady. Make sure to read the first book, No Life for a Lady, before reading her new book as it starts directly after the final events of book one.

Violet is a very naive and sheltered middle class woman determined to pursue a career as a lady detective. Like in the first book, this is a story of women breaking conventions, battling stereotypes held by society. Violet’s frustrations can be felt throughout and her battle to be seen as an independent figure is beautifully played out by Dolby.

If you’re looking for a cosy detective mystery set in Victorian England, How to Solve Murders will be the perfect fit. This series is Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes with a sprinkling of the sass and determination of Miss Marple thrown in for good measure.

How to Solve Murders Like a Lady is out now. Thanks to NetGalley and Aria and Aries for the arc. 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a delightful murder mystery and it was a joy to return to so many familiar characters. I can't wait for book 3!

Hannah Dolby has done it again! I adored Violet in her first adventure, the writing alone makes you feel as if you are living in a different age. This time, Violet is intent on being a 'real' detective, in spite of opposition from her father and society in general - I loved meeting characters from the first book and seeing historical figures pop up added an additional sense of time and place. This is a mystery to curl up with - adorable!

When this landed on my kindle, I was excited and honestly devoured the book vey quickly. Overall a fantastic, easy read and wonderful sequel to Hannah Dolby’s ‘No Life for a Lady’. Detective Violet Hamilton is back, as we follow her adventures with her fiancé Benjamin.

There are a lot of recaps during the first few chapters which definitely helped me (and will help other readers) remember the characters and what had happened previously. A fantastic easy read, full of warmth and humour as Violet not only tries to solve a murder but also the idea of getting married. I am left hoping for more books in this series and hope there is more to come.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah Dolby does it again. I loved No Life for a Lady, so had high expectations of this book and it didn't disappoint.
Hannah makes me laugh out loud. On one occasion, I felt compelled to read a line out to my husband, and he had a good chortle too! Violet is such a character and her adventures are just delightful. Really crossing everyone that there is a third book as I'd love to know what happens next.

Loved being back with Violet in Hastings. Love the mixture of history, humour and mystery in this book. Hoping book 3 is on its way!

Violet Hamilton is no ordinary lady…

She is a Lady Detective, who spends her time solving mysteries and unveiling scandals in the bustling seaside town of Hastings and St Leonards, a popular spot for the Victorian middle classes.

This was such a fun read for a topic that could be quite dark given that it deals with murder and intrigue. But I do love the way that Dolby creates her stories.

This is the second book in the series and although it can be read as a stand-alone, the reader would benefit from reading the first book. Violet is the main character along with her fiancé, Benjamin. Violet is determined to be a lady detective alongside Benjamin. Benjamin has quite modern views for the time and has no problem with Violet working with him. He is also very appreciative of Violet’s intelligence. Violet is full of self doubt but she is trying to overcome her believed shortcomings. Violet is a likeable character but she has to suffer men who doubt her capabilities because she is a female. This is written in quite a quirky and at times humorous way. I have enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more adventures with Violet. l received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ll admit I was a tad nervous about this one after loving the author’s refreshingly original debut last year. Could Hannah Dolby overcome those dreaded second book jitters and deliver an equally enchanting follow-up?

Well, she could, and she most certainly did!

It was an absolute delight to be back in fin-de-siècle Hastings, with Lady Detective Violet Hamilton, in another whimsical, rambunctious romp involving murder, nefarious shenanigans, and some delicious will-they-won’t -they romance.

When local stalwart, Mrs Withers, is found dead on the beach after a society ball, Violet has reason to believe it’s no accident and seizes the opportunity to prove her worth as a detective. Her investigations land her in all kinds of scrapes, including almost drowning in the sea, risking her life on a funicular, and being threatened with an electric corset to help cure her ‘hysteria’.

At her side is fellow detective and fiancé, Benjamin Blackthorn, whose dark good looks she variously compares to those of Lord Byron and Robert Burns. Although theirs is ostensibly an engagement of convenience, the attraction and fondness between them is palpable and a titillating thread of the narrative.

It is Violet, though, who is undoubtedly the star of the book. Hopelessly unladylike and unwilling to be beholden to any man, she’s strong willed, fiercely independent, and has a total disregard for social conventions; the kind of character you want to champion at every turn.

Historical detail is a key feature of the narrative, vividly bringing to life the Victorian seaside setting and the social mores of the time, especially those regarding women. Having earlier this year read Elinor Cleghorn’s fascinating study ‘Unwell Women’, I appreciated seeing some of these shocking attitudes incorporated here.

There are many strands to this story, more so than in the first book, but it is still a light, easy and thoroughly entertaining read, and with a highly satisfying conclusion that sets things up nicely for another instalment.

The discovery of a local woman's body in the popular Victorian seaside town of Hastings and St Leonard's understandably causes a furore. And it is a mystery that Lady Violet Hamilton is determined to get to the bottom of.

Unfortunately, not everyone believes that being involved in a murder investigation is "a woman's place", but Lady Violet is a woman who doesn't know her place when it comes to society's dictates about women's roles, but can put her privilege to good use when it suits her!

This humorous and lively story not only pokes fun very effectively at the gender stereotypes of the day, it also introduces us to the delightful Lady Violet, an excellent protagonist for this very enjoyable read. It gets 3.5 stars.

Violet is ahead of her time. She's solving crime in 1897 Sussex! Even more unusual - she's working with her fiancé. Ben's the epitome of gentleman detective/antique dealer. He's also very protective of his younger siblings. Ben and Violet aren't exactly in a rush down the aisle and they are content to concentrate on their new business.

I'm a connoisseur of murder mystery and I do enjoy a trip through history. There is some genteel humour and the storyline kept me hooked. Violet is really likeable and where lots of women of this time are portrayed as twee and prudish - she's fun, smart, independent and lovable. I love the way she has become a big sister to Ben's brothers and sisters but doesn't attempt to be a mum to them.

Violet is also a champion of women - she knows they usually get the short end of the stick and are either ignored or blamed for the things going wrong around them. She's actually a great feminist character.

I would have loved a bit more humour if I'm being completely nit-picky but otherwise this was a great read.

"Be your own fiercest champion so that you can face your worst critics."

Set in the Victorian era, Lady Detective Violet Hamilton is once again on the case. This time around, she sets about getting to the bottom of a local resident's death and experiences several hindrances.

Hannah Dolby clearly writes with wit. Having absolutely loved the first book , this installment's storyline fell a little flat for me. I loved Benjamin and Violet being together and I did enjoy Violet's character and her escapades. However, I didn't really feel as invested in the actual story in this book as compared to the first one, as there seemed to be a lot of other things going on.

This is Book 2 of a series, which I didn’t realise when I requested it, so I was at a slight disadvantage. As whodunnits go, it was an average story, and enjoyable enough, but I didn’t like it enough to read any more in the series.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book.

The story is set in 1897 in Hastings and St Leonards. Violet Hamilton is no ordinary lady - she is a Lady Detective where Benjamin Blackthorn (fiance) is helping with typing invoices and, at the same time, he is teaching how to be a better detective. I love how feisty and strong Violet is and certainly is keen to have a go! Violet is keen on finding out why a local lady is found dead. This leads her to places where she really shouldn't go but along the way, she has help from her friends. I hope there will be a third book. I highly recommend this book.

“Any woman who breaks a mould, who is a pioneer for a new way of being a woman, will be more subject to censure than most. Don’t add your own voice to the melee. Be your own fiercest champion so that you can face your worst critics. And if you believe in yourself, in who you are and what you do, and follow through, you will find most people take you at your own accounting.”

Violet Hamilton is no ordinary lady. She is a Lady Detective who spends her time solving mysteries and unveiling scandals in the bustling seaside town of Hastings and St. Leonards, a popular spot for the Victorian middle classes. But when the body of a local woman is found on the beach, Violet’s efforts to investigate are blocked at every turn.
Is that because, as a woman, she can’t possibly be allowed to think or act for herself? Or is it because someone sinister has Violet in their sights?

Hannah Dolby writes a witty, humorous mystery novel that will make you chuckle on one page and giggle at the next, before you break out in hysterical laughter. The romance is subtle and charming as Violet insists on keeping control of her life. Between the food, fashion, and way of life, there is a lot to learn and plenty that will surprise you in the historical details.

With a compelling character at the centre, this is a worthy sequel that sees the growth and evolution of Violet as a lady and a detective. It is apparent Violet has many more adventures to encounter with Benjamin as an equal partner, and I can’t wait to join her on them.

This ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Aria & Aries.

I absolutely loved being back with Violet at the seaside solving crimes!

I adored the first book in this series and was so excited to continue on with these delightful characters and was not disappointed! The mystery and all the little bits and pieces that were connected to it, kept me guessing throughout and had me hooked right to the end of the story. I loved that we saw even more independence from Violet in this book and the development of certain relationships, particularly with her father.

I did want more Benjamin but I am just greedy! I thought it was interesting that he seemed a little more protective over Violet, now that they’re properly into their engagement, but he still trusted her and let her have her freedom.

Just another wonderfully written, funny and intriguing mystery from Hannah!

How to Solve Murders Like a Lady by Hannah Dolby is an absolute delight of a book. I loved the first book in the series, No Life for a Lady, when I read it last year, the main character, Violet felt almost like a friend by the end of the tale, and I really hoped that the book would mark the beginning of a series. It was, Violet's adventures in detection and romance continue here and I did not think it would be possible to like this book any more than the first, but somehow I did. I was smiling to myself and giggling in delight at every exchange between Violet and her love interest/ fellow detective/ furniture restoring fiancé Benjamin, while at other times being angry on Violet's behalf about the attitudes and treatment she faced from the more conservative elements of society including her own father.
There is a sold mystery plot at the heart of the book, it is well crafted and held my interest as Violet tries not only to uncover the murderer of Mrs Withers, a not particularly likeable acquaintance with a penchant for striking hats, but also clear Benjamin's name as he is accused of murder. I enjoyed this aspect of the book but what really made me love it was the developing relationship between Violet and Benjamin, there is a sweetness and softness to it that is both beautiful and comforting, but there is also a playfulness and humour in the way it is written that is simply joyous.
Once again I am left hoping for more books in this series, I am always going to want to spend more time with these characters, and I feel like there is plenty more of their story to be told, it's really only just beginning after all.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

A charming sequel to Hannah Dolby’s ‘No Life for a Lady’.
Our lady detective Violet Hamilton is back, as we follow her adventures with her fiancé Benjamin.
Lots of recaps during the first few chapters, helped me remember the characters and what had happened previously.
An easy read, full of warmth and humour as Violet tries to solve a murder as well as coming round to the idea of getting married.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Having loved the first in this series, I couldn't wait to get into the second!

Violet Hamilton is making progress in her desire to be a lady detective; however, when a murder takes place locally her intentions to investigate are thwarted at every turn. Why does everyone insist on treating her like a piece of fine china when she is more than capable of solving even the most despicable crime? Or is she being protected from something more sinister?

The first in this series was a wonderful read and my high hopes for this second novel were easily met. Violet is a brave woman, with ambitions well before her time. I love her character which is beautifully crafted; at a time when women were meant to be seen and not heard she is a breath of fresh air with a mind of her own. Yet again, Hannah Dolby has created a terrific read and I look forward to reading much more about Violet's plans and adventures. A solid 5* read and one I'm very happy to recommend.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy cia NetGalley, this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.